Betrothed To Him

Chapter Twelve ❧

Betrothed To Him

Chapter Twelve: ❧

Lana Houstan P.O.V

"Thanks, Julia. I'd like to be left alone now, please." I inform the female housemaid who kindly guided me to my room through the long stairs that belonged to this massive villa. Julia helped me bathe and scrub my body without damaging the few bandages around my knees and hands and then change into comfortable clothes since I had zero energy to move my body.

 I found it difficult to even walk on my own because of how sore my body felt. I watched as she hurried before me and her face suddenly pale now. 

"Ah! No, no, no, madame," she protested waving both her hands in front of me. She gently pulled me from my arm towards the king size bed. 

"Mr. Ian specifically ordered me to take care of you. He said you needed to rest and take the prescribed meds after your soup. Please, madame" 

"But I want to be alone just for a bit" 

"I'm so sorry, but Mr. Ian said-"

"Ughh, forget it," I said letting out a loud huff and I flopped onto the bed as a water droplet from my hair plopped into my eyes. I'm too tired for this shit. 

"Please be careful madame. You need to have your soup"

Instead of responding, I closed my eyes and hoped I'd wake up from whatever fucked up nightmare I was in. I tried closing my eyes but every time I close my eyes. I see myself in a dark room surrounded by shadows. A wall of dark men and dark shadows moving toward me like a blanket of death. I shook my head swiftly to shake off the unwelcomed angst.

I always thought a year ago this time around, I'd be in South Africa practicing medicine. How did I end up here? I would have been with my crew helping all those in need, helping and curing people. Preventing diseases and starting my placement. That was where I wanted to be. Where I had dreamt and worked hard for. For a few seconds, the thought filled my heart with hope and joy, but disappointment quickly took over me. 

As much as I desperately wanted all of this to end, instead, I opened my eyes and I'm still in the same goddamn place. Same room, my hair is still damp and I'm still laying on the king size bed. Nothing was changed. 

A soft knock at the door brings me back to reality. 

"Yes!" Julia jumped at the door. I hadn't realized she was still here. Oh, wait I forgot 'Mr. Ian ordered her to not to leave me out of her sight' ...

"Is she sleeping?" I recognized the voice immediately and pushed myself to sit up. Ian was standing in the doorway, looking somewhat worn out.

"I'm trying to keep her awake sir, so she could have her soup and medication. But, she's refusing." the maid tells him and he looks at me expressionless for a brief moment. "It's okay Julia, you can go now" He dismisses her curtly, which comes to my surprise. 

She leaves shutting the door behind her quietly and I keep watching Ian as he started strolling around the large room, idly lifting roses from a vase on a glass table across from me. 

What the hell is he doing? 

He looks around the room once more and then sighs. He stood with his hands in his pockets, still not looking at me. Then, he had his arms folded across his chest. He looked nervous. I could see it in his eyes. I've never seen him look so genuinely nervous before. 

I levelled my gaze at him, but he was avoiding me. He's now just a few steps across from me.

"How are you feeling ?" He asks. His tone was quiet and seemed a little... Concerned? It wasn't his usual stern and arrogant manner.